Process of dry cleaning and composition for use therein



Patented Apr. 30, 1929.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

LEE HAGER AND JOHN POPPERMAN, OF HOUSTON, TEXAS, ASSIGNORS TO PINE-O-PINE COMPANY, OF HOUSTON, TEXAS, A CORPORATION OF TEXAS.

PROCESS OF DRY CLEANING AND COMPOSITION FOR USE THEREIN.

No Drawing. Application filed July 13,

This invention contains new and useful improvements in a detergent anddry cleaning composition for use in dry cleaning plants, and includesalso the use of the same in dry-cleaning. The said detergent and its usein laundering, are covered in a separate Case 106,752 filed May 4, 1926.

This invention is designed to provide a composition of ingredients to beused:

In laundries, in the process of Washing, to take the place of causticsoda, soda ash, or other form of soda and to reduce the consumption ofsoap commonly used in laundering and to eliminate the use of the specialdry-cleaners soap commonly used in dry cleaning.

A further object is to produce a composition and a detergentparticularly suited for use in dry cleaning process, etc., for thepurpose of neutralizing and eliminating the odor of gasoline in thegarments and for the purpose of cleaning and clarifying the gasolineused in the dry cleaning process.

WVith the above and other objects in view, this invention has particularrelation to a novel composition of ingredients as specified herein, andthe use thereof in dry cleaning.

The composition consists of the reaction products produced from pineoil, caustic soda and water, and rosin. Caustic soda is here mentionedas the most economical form of caustic alkali to be used. We prefer thisinstead of the other caustic alkalies.

The ingredients in order to obtain the best results are to be combinedin substantially the following proportions, to-wit i Per cent. Pine oil,with or without turpentine 62.2 Rosin 24.6 Caustic soda (solidsubstance) 3.8

Water 9.4

The above ingredients in the proportions stated may be combined asfollows First, mix the rosin and pine oil in a double boiler, and raisethe temperature of this mixture to approximately 190, maintaining thistemperature with occasional stirring (say once in 20 minutes) until therosin is all dissolved, which may require 3 to 4 hours.

In a second container mix caustic soda 1925. Serial No. 43,416.

(which is a solid) and water in the amounts stated above, stirring thesame until the caustic soda is thoroughly dissolved, then slowly pourthe solution of caustic soda and water into the first mixture, stirringthe whole for approximately thirty minutes or until the whole isthoroughly mixed; then the product may be covered tightly and allowed tocool gradually and when cool the composition is ready for shipment oruse.

lVhen used in the dry cleaning process, the composition is preferablyfirst mixed with twice its own quantity of gasoline. This produces aclear solution which then may be mixed with gasoline in the dry cleaning wheel or drum in the proportion of from one to three quarts of thesolution (equivalent to one-third quart up to one quart of the originalmaterial), to forty gallons of gasoline. For best results we propose toemploy the proportions of about 11 to 32 ounces of the detergent to 40gallons of gasoline. This proportion will vary with the nature andcondition of the fabrics to be cleaned.

This used as a detergent has the following properties Consisting chieflyof pine oil, is a strong solvent of oils, fats and grease. Added to thegasoline, it greatly assists the latter in removing said oils, fats andgrease of every kind from the. fabrics treated. The solid dirt isthereby loosened from the fabrics.

Being a powerful deodorant it tends toneutralize and destroy thedisagreeable odor of gasoline in the garments. This cuts down complaintsand hast-ens the time of delivery.

The composition has the pro )erty of hold ing dirt in suspension whileis e mixture is 5 being agitated. After running the dirty gasoline intothe clarifying tank the fine particles of dirt and dust removed from thefabrics by the mixture of gasoline and detergent, will settle out,whereby the gasoline becomes clarified for further use.

Then using this composition with gasoline it is unnecessary to useammonia. acetone,- dry cleaners soap (i. e. special soap commonly usedwith gasoline in dry-cleaning operations), acetic acid, alcohol andother 5 and gasoline can be used by materials now commonly used inconjunction with gasoline in'the usual dry cleaning processes.

Obviously the mixture of the detergent hand or in other ways, withoutthe drum above men tioned.

We claim:

1. A composition suitable for drycleaning 10 comprising the reactionproducts of a small amount of caustic alkali, a larger amount of rosinand a still larger amount of pine oil, in which the pine oil is at leastsuflicient to dissolve the rosin, and the caustic alkali is at leastsufiicient to saponify the rosin, such product being mixed with 2 to 480times its own bulk of gasoline.

2. A composition suitable for dry-cleaning comprising the reactionproducts of caustic alkali equivalent to about 38 parts of caustic soda,about246 parts of rosin and about 622 parts of pine oil, such productbeing mixed with about 2 to 480 times its own bulk of

